South Hobart-Sandy Bay bore the full brunt of Sam Rainbird’s frustrations as the stand-in Clarence skipper put in a superb all-round performance across round six.
After pounding 111 from just 92 balls on day one to bring up his first century, Rainbird was equally destructive with the ball against a gallant Sharks on day two.
Chasing the Roos 7-403 declared was always going to be a huge task for the home side, but they had a fair crack only to be brought down by Rainbird, who was released from Tigers 12th man duties to lead Clarence’s attack.
The left-arm fast-medium bowler finished with 6-89 from a marathon 27 overs to go with his century with the bat, as the Sharks were dismissed for 336, 67 runs short of the target.
Roos playing-coach Harry Allenby, who posted his 10th century for the Roos on day one, said Rainbird had a point to prove.
“He’s found it tough the past few weeks,” Allenby said.
“He’s been 12th man for the Tigers a few times and travelling away from his young family and not playing so to come back and get six for and his first hundred for the Roos, I was really pleased for him.”
While his performance with the ball has been seen before, his efforts with the bat was a surprise to many, but not Allenby.
“For Clarence he has always showed he can bat,” he said.
“In the past he’s opened the batting and he’s really handy for us at No. 7 or 8.
“He came out last week and just hit the ball clean from ball one. He’s got a few 50s but for him to go on was good for him too as well as for the team.”
As well as his first century, it was also his first time in charge filling in for regular skipper Michael Jones.
“He’s been pestering me for years about captaining the Roos and he finally got his chance, and he made the most of it,” Allenby said.
Clarence is sitting in second spot behind University and Allenby has been pleased with the Roos steady improvement so far.
“It has been pleasing,” he said.
“We spoke about it a lot earlier in the season getting lots of 30s and 40s so for guys to stand up and get big hundreds, they are the innings that win you matches.
“With the ball, everyone is playing their role. Kieran (Elliott) and ‘Rainy’ are taking the bulk of the wickets but guys are playing their roles around them.
“We lost our first game against Glenorchy, and from there we had a couple of close wins and have kept the momentum rolling and played some good cricket.
“There is nothing like winning momentum and it has been really good.”
A maiden first-grade century for young gun Zac Curtain wasn’t enough in Kingborough’s huge chase against University at the Twin Ovals.
The Lions made 6-385 declared on day one, but while the Knights battled hard, they never threatened the target and were eventually dismissed for 233.
Curtain, coming off 70 against Glenorchy and 93 for the Tigers in the second XI clash with Queensland, caught the eye again with 102 from 142 balls to reach three figures for the first time at this level.
A brave New Town fell short against North Hobart at New Town Oval.
Resuming in trouble at 3-21 chasing the Demons 265, the Bucks found an unlikely hero in No.8 Jayden Vince, but even his 70 not out wasn’t quite enough as they were bowled out for 231.
North swing bowler Alex Pyecroft continued his strong form finishing with 4-40 from 31.4 overs and is now the season’s joint leading wicket-taker with 12.
Glenorchy captain-coach Josh Hartill led from the front as the Magpies torched Lindisfarne at Anzac Park.
After bowling out the Lightning for 191 on day one, Hartill smoked 169 as the Magpies racked up 6-357 declared to register their second win of the season.
It was a similar one-sided game in the only match played in round 10 of the women’s CTPL on Sunday.
North Hobart showed why it is the top team at present as it dominated New Town with both bat and ball.
The Bucks were held to just 6-104 from their 20 overs with the top three – Tanja Lee (35 off 38 balls), Sterre Kalis (29 off 30) and Chloe Abel (20 from 28) – all getting starts but unable to break the shackles and play a match turning innings.
The chase was a doddle for the Demons, strolling to the target for the loss of only two wickets and with 46 balls to spare thanks to Melodie Armstrong (42 from 30) and captain Ella Marsh (29 not out from 31).